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Painting my car

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tahoe healey

tahoe healey

Yoda
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Anyone in Northern California know of a good paint shop? I'm ready to take the leap but all the places I've talked to are interested in collision repairs only. A hot rod specialist sounded real good till he told me ten to fifteen thousand but boy did he have nice cars at his shop. He builds them for actions.
Second question, original one coat paint or clear coat over the Healey White? They claim the clear coat helps to prvent chips.
 
I had mine painted at the Macco in Rancho Cordova. Gary has old cars himself and did a great job. I ended up paying about $3000 for the paint, a little body work, and the final sand and polish. Gary does like the car prepared for painting. IE: take off all the chrome, get the stainless strip between the fenders, and basically have it ready to prep for paint.
If you come down the hill from tahoe, stop at take a look at my car. I am in Loomis.

Jerry
BJ8
BN4
 
TH,
How's about qualifying what you are willing to spend.
As they say, you get what you pay for.

Stay away from the collision places. They make their money from quick insurance jobs. You'd be very lucky to find a collision place that will take the time to do it right. Run if they say, they'll work it in-between insurance jobs.

If you want a sound, lasting paint job, you have to know what's under what you have now. Is there any bondo there, and if so, how much? If you're not the original owner or don't know the original owner of the car, then a block and sand is a gamble. Were their any quick fixes in this cars travels to your present ownership? The paint job is only as good as the prep work. You don't want to drive down the road, hit a hard bump and find a hunk of bondo had finally broke free after all those years.

Two stage paint will provide a more durable finish. Some of the newer clears are harder than others. Plus when it comes time down the road to remove the spider webs, you'll be glad you have the more durable clear coat when you're using a compound or polish to remove them.

I believe you have a posted on this very topic of painting your car before?

So, how far are you going to leap?
They say time is money.
Maybe in your case, distance is money?

I wish you the best of luck finding the right shop. One that you'll be comfortable with. They should be within driving distance from your home. The shop may ask you to visit them from time to time. Just as it's good to drop in and see how the project is coming along. This of course depends on the amount of work that you want them to do, or what they find out along the way. Once you give them the car, don't be surprised to hear, Rich, we found an area on the car, that we need to discuss with you.

Roger
 
Yea, Roger, I remember the Bondo incident you had at the door. I was hoping to get away with less than $8,000. I only want a nice driver. Not looking for awards. Just something to be proud of.
These guys look good. They just finished a an XK120. The are 60 miles away. Reno is the capital of Hot Rods.
 
My hunk came off the left rear wing. That convinced me to bring it down to metal. Hence why I'm bringing up the know the condition of what's under your current paint, or don't be surprised down the road.
You have a nice driver now TH.
 
Just throwing this out TH.

A friend of mine just had his 67 Mustang fastback painted in San Jose.
The place did it in a little over a month.

Not sure if the shop did it, or gave permission for the employee(s) to do it on the side.

Shop removed all the brightwork and parts that needed to come off the car.
Sanded the car to metal. (not the best way to do it, but quickest way in the shop)
Two stage paint, correct color.
Put the car back together.
Including new rubber and new parts that were supplied by owner.
I would say the job is pretty good. 10 footer. You can see some dust and fisheye in the clear if you look close.
Maybe another wet sand by someone who took more time could improve it.
Fee for this job was around $3,500.

Note that all his body panels were straight and the shop didn't call the owner with any....we found some problems. The owner was lucky there wasn't any rust, dents, or aligning of panel work needed.

However the shop did not take the best in care of protecting the interior in the process. Some paint on the new seat belts and dust everywhere. He'll end up spending some time cleaning up the mess.

He is happy with the job.
Maybe this guy is up your ally?
Half the price you threw out.
Here in Norcal.
 
Thanks, Roger. I'm considering all options. Any more out there? I fear the year project places cause I want to be able to drive by next spring.
 
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